NEW DELHI: BJP’s loss in Gurdaspur Lok Sabha Bypoll is being attributed more to unexpectedly poor performance of the AAP candidate coupled with the anger against SAD leaders, including Sucha Singh Langah who was jailed on rape charges just a few days before the bypoll.

BJP leaders also claim that the circulation of a CD purportedly showing party candidate Swaran Singh Salaria with a woman changed the political discourse for which the party had to pay a heavy price, losing the bypoll by a margin of nearly 2 lakh votes against Congress’ nominee Sunil Jakhar. Even the rape allegations against SAD leader Sucha Singh Langah played spoilsport for the BJP nominee.

“We don’t see the mandate as vote for the performance of the Central government. Rather, Gurdaspur bypoll was mired with controversies, which cost us dearly,” said a senior BJP leader, who had toured the state extensively recently. Party leaders claim that even strong resentment against SAD leaders went against the BJP candidate.